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~my thoughts about life~

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Hubby Update

This week at Bible Study, the congregation broke up into men's and women's seminars. Our pastor's wife spoke about relationships. It was lovely. As she was talking about the importance of respecting your husband, she made a comment that defines my present situation pretty well. She said to allow your husband to live his dream.

Ever since we've been together, Hubby has wanted one of those intense, high action careers. The top of the list included Firefighter, Police Officer, and Pilot. I hindered him. As the nervous girlfriend, then the paranoid wife, I discouraged him from having a dangerous job. I've always regretted holding him back.

Several years ago, Son #2 made a friend whose father was someone I graduated with. The dad and I had several classes together in high school and he even dated one of my best friends. Still, I don't think we ever once spoke. I was a little on the shy side, comfortable only in my circle of friends. He was shy too. Since then, we've both broken out of our shells and have enjoyed a friendship that revolves around our sons. At a school function a few years ago, he came in wearing a police uniform. I realized that Hubby would immediately be smitten with him when he found out he was a cop. He pestered me to ask Cop Dad if he could ride along sometime. I didn't know him quite well enough to do that yet. Finally, one day, it came up that Hubby would give his left arm for a ride-along. Cop Dad happily obliged.

Since then, Cop Dad and Hubby have become, well BFFs, I guess. Hubby rides along every chance he gets and all the guys at the station already know and tease with him. They joke that the two of them have a Bromance going on because they're all huge cut-ups. I've come to realize I will probably never get a ticket in this town now because of my connection to Hubby and his Bestie.

As they rode together, Cop Dad started talking to Hubby about the possibility of him becoming a part time officer. The cut off for full-time is age 40, which was Hubby's current age. Despite his age, he would honestly make a perfect police officer. He is very physically fit, has good morals, and is a quick thinker. There is no age restriction for part-time officers though. So Hubby decided to enroll in the academy.

He found a local, very small college that offered a night academy. You know, the kind of college that meets in a little building next to a Chili's. No mascot, no sports team, and a name you'd be kind of embarrassed to mention. He bugged and pestered the administrators, yet they just couldn't seem to get the evening classes going. He was supposed to begin last October or November, but nothing ever happened. Finally, he realized that this place is a big joke and not capable of organizing classes. He was pretty bummed.

He began exploring other options, finding another academy at a University 45 minutes away. That would be a little difficult, trying to get there from work each day. This is one of those accelerated programs that you cannot miss, no matter what the circumstance. Finally, he found an evening class beginning in a few months at a real state college. This one was only 30 minutes away. (They even have a mascot.) He told his boss at work that he would need a little bit of slack while he takes classes. They obliged, thankful that he's still planning on keeping his day job. (Sadly, he couldn't afford to be a full time officer. Have you seen what these guys get paid for risking their lives each day???)

Classes started last week and I am now a college widow. Hubby attends class Monday through Thursday, 5:30 to 9:30 (plus the half hour drive). Saturdays go from 8:00 to 5:00 and about every other Sunday. It's intense. We know it's going to be a difficult road, but I think we can survive anything for six months. He's expected to be done mid-December. The Chief of Police in our town has already met and talked with Hubby. He was excited about what he's doing and has promised him a commission when he graduates.

We really wanted him to take classes through the winter when things are less busy. He has a side lawn mowing business in the summer. But that's not how things worked out. All things happen for a reason, I think. So I get to see him an hour or two in the middle of the day and for a couple minutes before he collapses into bed. I'm kind of sporting the single parenting thing and family dinners aren't quite as gourmet as they used to be. (The kids are just as happy with a Chef Boyardee pizza.) But when I saw how cute he looked in his little fake cop uniform, I was proud of him. He was most proud of passing the college entrance exam. He's never attended college and didn't do exceptionally well in school. When he got the acceptance letter on real college letterhead, I proudly hung it up. We have a college student in the house now!

So I don't need a Bible study lesson on respecting my husband. He has my upmost respect and admiration as a husband, father, student, and future police officer. I guess I'll have to call him Sir if he ever pulls me over!